‘Might over right’ imperils international justice, Wang Yi tells UN’s Baerbock
UN General Assembly president meets Chinese foreign minister in Beijing amid Iran war tensions and global energy crisis
During the talks in Beijing, Wang told Baerbock that multilateralism faced “severe challenges” from unnamed powers prioritising “might over right” – a veiled critique of Washington.
“Certain countries pursue a policy of ‘strength first’, openly challenging the status and role of the United Nations,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
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Facing such “headwinds” and “bullying”, he said, meant the international community must “uphold the correct path of cooperation” rather than allowing the “law of the jungle to prevail”.
Wang noted that 2026 marked the 55th anniversary of China’s return to the United Nations, and reiterated Beijing’s position that it was a “steadfast defender” of the UN-centred international system.
He also pledged support for Baerbock’s mandate, expressing “hope and confidence” that she would unify the 193 member states to uphold the core principle of “sovereign equality”.
Baerbock, a former German foreign minister, is presiding over the landmark 80th session of the UN General Assembly, which runs until September.